Jacquie D’Alessandro Not Quite a Gentleman

Not Quite a Gentleman

Jacquie D'Alessandro

Avon, Oct 2005, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0060779381

Her father orders Lady Victoria Wexhall to leave London for the home of Viscount Sutton in a remote part of Cornwall as he wants a match. However, at Wexhall's estate is the viscount's younger sibling Nathan Oliver, a retired spy who kissed Victoria three years ago; that first kiss remains imprinted in her heart though the rascal vanished without a trace immediately afterward. He came home to search for jewels stolen from him while he was on an espionage mission before he ever met Victoria who he has not forgotten since the kiss.

Immediately upon seeing one another, Victoria and Nathan know that the deep attraction they felt three years ago remains as strong as ever. However, he fears acting on his desires at least until he completes his current investigation because he wants no harm to come to the woman he admires. She, on the other hand, refuses to allow him to sneak off, and quickly forces herself into the inquiries.

NOT QUITE A GENTLEMAN is an intelligent extremely well written Regency who-done-it starring two strong willed delightful sleuths, a professional and an amateur, who also have a past together. The story line is action-packed yet the beauty of a Jacquie D'Alessandro novel is that the author makes her era come alive through her fully developed lead characters. Fans will root for Victoria and Nathan to solve the case and remain with one another for a lifetime of love.

Harriet Klausner